sacredness of marriage in catholicism?

Question

A catholic asked recently about how could other churches say they value marriage when only catholic church has an annulment process.

First, it blows my mind to think that someone could ask, in apparent honesty, "Since we have a process of undoing a marriage and you do not, how can you say you value marriage?"

Second, and the point of this question, is how can anyone annul a marriage for any reason other than 'fornication'?

I'll let the answerer define 'fornication'. Most bible scholars I read say it is a broad term related to sexual impurity and would apply to adultery as well as other sexual sins. I know from the bible that a Jew in the OT could divorce his wife for adultery and he could divorce her if he found that she wasn't a virgin before marriage.

One verse:

"But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." Matt. 5:32

I tried adding this when I posted:

I realize that the bible teaches that Christians are permitted to allow a non-believing spouse to leave. They're not encouraged to, but they are allowed to.

Answer 1

There's nothing "sacred" about marriage. It's been around since before religion and will be around long afterwards. However, religion will claim to have invented it and own it. And they'll add their silly rules to marriage. Really, though, marriage is just a formalization of a relationship with another person. It sets responsibilities and expectations of the relationship. There's nothing inherently religious in that.

Answer 2

In the Roman Catholic Church, an annullment says that the marriage was never valid and licit according to the precepts of Canon Law. If someone is coerced into marrying against his or her own free will, for example, that could be grounds for an annullment.

For more (and dull) information, here is a link to the section of the Code that you would want to consult: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3V.HTM


As for the point of view that the Catholic you mentioned presented, it's really sad that people think that way. I don't think it's fair to say that Catholics value marriage more than other denominations or even more than other religions. And heck, in the USA, getting an annullment has gotten to be so much more common than, say, 20 years ago that some people call it the "Catholic divorce."

Answer 3

Yea, I know, I know. They still think that any means can be used to 'bring us back to the flock'. Which is why they used to burn us.

5. 32 refers to sex before marriage [fornication]. Note those who argue about this and that they just want c*ck.

The comment below is laughable. In sociology it's taught that religion and the family have allways been around. Society cannot function without them.

Check back, I'm doing dinner, and more in a minute.

Answer 4

Catholics are the biggest hypocrits in the entire world

Answer 5

yet another reason to do away with all religions.

Answer 6

And your question IS?????? YBIC